Snowy Surprises

We opened the front door yesterday morning bound for church (5 minutes late... how does that always happen?) and I squealed like a little girl. It was snowing! Not puny little flakes, but legitimate Charlie Brown's Christmas snowflakes. We didn't think it would last, so imagine our surprise when we exited church to find a full-blown snow day had come to Virginia. (All when I had given up hope of seeing any winter this year!). 


This morning we hit the trails with sweet friends of ours to take advantage of the white stuff. Lord knows it will be gone by tomorrow!

 Yes, those are daffodils. And yes, it was 60 degrees a mere 72 hours prior to this snowy delight!

Southern Perks

This is something this yankee isn't used to... Fishing in February. It's a fairly new development in my mind. My idea of February fishing involves an ice pick and all the hot coffee the northeast can brew. 

I can't say this time of year is beautiful by any means, but c'mon, we went fishing in February! You know, the month that comes after January! I'm quickly learning how nice Virginia can be!

Winter Continues

I have to admit... I have become a wee bit spoiled with the warmer climate in Virginia. 20+ years of my life in the northeast did nothing to keep me "tough" when I walked off the plane Saturday evening into the chilly Maine air. It was cold. Way cold. While I have since adjusted to the cooler temperatures, I can't say I'm loving the shivers and puffy breath clouds. But I am loving being home with my family! (Even though I miss my sweet hubby back in the warmer state of Virginia!) 

So, just so the world knows, although it was 75 degrees the other day where I live, it looked like this up here: (And for your information... That is no field we're photographing. It's a frozen lake. A frozen solid lake).

And that is our Sunday family outing! I had "Iron Will" (anyone remember that movie?!) visions of falling through the ice, but I'm happy to say that I am still here. It has been eons since I have ventured onto the frozen Maine lakes - and I must say, it was fun.

How I Love Spontaneity

Friday night at around 10, my husband and I were watching a movie (the poor dear, bless his heart for sitting through "Charlie St. Cloud"... I just may continue this thought in a later post!) when we suddenly decided to go to D.C. in the morning. It truly happened just like that - An exchanged glance, a question of, "Wouldn't it be cool...?", an affirmative response and a "Let's do it!" A high five and a few laughs later, we decided everything we wanted to see in the city the next morning. Of course, when the alarm clock went off the next morning we asked each other if this was such a good idea. Our second guessing caused us to lose an hour, but we were on the road to D.C. nevertheless.

Strom didn't want to deal with a car in the city, so we took the metro in from the Franconia-Springfield stop. While this seemed like a good idea, in hindsight, I'm not sure I would make the same move again. At least not until spring. Words cannot express how cold it was waiting for the Blue/Orange line. I have spent the last 7 winters in Maine, yet I was colder yesterday than I can even recall in recent years. Do you know that feeling that, hard as you might try, you cannot refrain from shaking, shuddering, chattering and shivering? That was me. For a good part of the day. Yes, it was worth it, but I don't plan on returning until it is warmer! 

In case I never mentioned it before, I was born outside the Beltway, so my family has history in Virginia. After moving to New York, we often came back to D.C. (mostly on business trips of my dad's) and spent time on the Mall, in the museums, theaters, and monuments etc. So I have many many memories of being in D.C., touring the city -- and of course, falling in love with the history of it. But for Strom, this was his first "touristy" visit. We were both in D.C. back in August for the Restoring Honor Rally, but we didn't have the chance to play the role of "Tourist." So this was a first for him! And we had a blast. We didn't get to see nearly as much as we had hoped, but we visited as many museums as possible, as well as the monuments (and had one of the most delicious dinners you could imagine - but more on that later!).

I was of course, disappointed to go through my pictures once we got home to realize the cold gave me more camera shake than I had realized. So 'oh well' for variety here. But you can at least see from my slim pickins' here that we had a lot of fun. There is such rich history in the city, you can feel it as though it were a concrete thing. Hallowed ground... it's the only way to describe it.

So, did Strom enjoy it? In case you were wondering, he did. Immensely. Although we both found the Museum of Natural History to be an outright joke (there you can find where your relatives originated from -- just pick your monkey! *eye roll*) the Museum of American History received two thumbs up from us (it was my favorite as a kid). We had an incredible dinner from the District Chop House & Brewery (but as I said, more on that later!) and an evening stroll (more like a mad charge to simply stay warm!) down to the Washington, Lincoln, and WWII memorials. 

As soon as it warms up, we'll be on our way back for round two!

Look What the Storm Drug In

After 24 hours of nonstop snow, the sun came up this morning and showed off our new and beautiful landscape! 

It's pretty much gorgeous. And it is still December, so I have yet to grow tired of winter. Give me another two weeks and I'll be screaming for my flip flops and tank tops. But for now, I'm drinking it in!

Snowballs & Teardrops

Another fun day at the homestead! After yesterday's snowfall my dad dug through the shed and found a little sled for my nephew, Evan. It was funny seeing that old thing, considering I used it countless times in my childhood. I don't know if it's just a first grandchild thing, or maybe we were all itching to throw a few snowballs, but the entire family headed out to watch Evan on his first sled ride. 

 I am sad to report that he absolutely hated it. And we're talking hated it. 

Only in the last few moments did he stop the tears. In all honesty, it was awfully funny to watch. We just stood by and laughed until we almost cried. Maybe next year!

A sink filled with empty mugs of hot chocolate, tiny snowballs all over the kitchen floor, and a pile of wet gloves by the door are all that is left of today's adventure ~ as well as the wonderful memories of us all being together this Christmas!

Winter Wonderland

This morning we awoke to the most lovely winter wonderland! It's almost as if the snow was specially ordered for me! There's nothing like opening the blinds to seeing nothing but white ~ and three days before Christmas no less! It looks like we're going to have a white Christmas here in Maine! 

I couldn't help throwing on some boots and taking a walk around my parent's yard ~ camera in hand of course! My hands were ice cold, but the peacefulness was worth it! 

I love this time of year! Everything before Christmas is simply magical.